WERF Seeks Applicants for Fifth Annual Paul L. Busch Award

The WERF Endowment for Innovation in Applied Water Quality Research is accepting applications for the 2005 Paul L. Busch Award. The award, which carries with it a $100,000 research grant, is presented each year to an individual or team whose work is leading to measurable improvements in the water environment.

As one of the largest awards in the water quality industry, the Paul L. Busch Award enables up-and-coming researchers to continue their work, take risks, and explore new directions in water quality science and engineering. The award encourages innovative research, unique approaches, and creative problem solving in order to produce practical results that will benefit the entire water quality community.

Over the past five years, award recipients have begun to tackle many critical issues, including biological foaming, wastewater-derived chemical contaminants, and chemical stresses in the activated sludge process. The 2004 recipient, Dr. Bruce Logan, is exploring a truly innovative concept—that of producing electricity from wastewater using bacteria in a microbial fuel cell.

"These individuals have taken their work well beyond conventional water quality research methods," said Dan Woltering, WERF's director of research. "The Paul Busch Award recognizes that sometimes thinking big is the only way to produce big results."

This year the WERF Endowment will continue its tradition of honoring high-quality, groundbreaking research by presenting the fifth annual Paul L. Busch Award. Utilities, universities, environmental firms, and others conducting water quality research are encouraged to apply. Applications must be received by June 1, 2005.

All submissions should be sent to the Water Environment Research Foundation, Paul L. Busch Award, 635 Slaters Lane, Suite 300, Alexandria, VA 22314.

For more information about the award, including eligibility and application guidelines, visit WERF's website at www.werf.org.